Category Archives: News

Youth President Elections – Etholiadau Llywydd Ieuenctid

It’s not long now till some of the Young People from across the Synod are off to 3Generate. While they are away they will get the chance to vote for the next Youth President, and this year one of the candidates is Rachel Barwise, who grew up in the Cardiff Circuit before moving away for University in the Ceredigion Circuit (her Mum is also our Synod Secretary!).
Here’s what Rachel has to say:
‘Hello everyone! Helo pawb! My name is Rachel. I’m colourful, energetic, Welsh and I am hoping to be your next Youth President! I want to focus on exploring identity. I want to ensure that you have the space to discover your “I am…” as an individual and as an important part of the Methodist Church. I’m raring to lead from behind, to empower you and I am excited to see what we can achieve together!’

 

Nid yw’n hir nawr nes bod rhai o’r bobl ifanc o bob rhan o’r Synod i ffwrdd i 3Generate. Tra eu bod i ffwrdd byddant yn cael cyfle i bleidleisio dros yr Arlywydd Ieuenctid nesaf, ac eleni un o’r ymgeiswyr yw Rachel yn Barwise, a gafodd ei magu yng Nghylchdaith Caerdydd cyn symud i ffwrdd i’r Brifysgol yng Nghylchdaith Ceredigion (ei mam hefyd yw ein Ysgrifennydd Synod!).
Dyma beth sydd gan Rachel i’w ddweud:
‘Helo pawb! Fy enw i yw Rachel. Rwy’n lliwgar, egnïol, yn Gymraeg ac rwy’n gobeithio bod yn llywydd ieuenctid nesaf i chi! Rwyf am ganolbwyntio ar archwilio hunaniaeth. Rwyf am sicrhau bod gennych y lle i ddarganfod eich “Rydw i…” fel unigolyn ac fel rhan bwysig o’r Eglwys Fethodistaidd. Rwy’n rasio i arwain o’r tu ôl, i’ch grymuso ac rwy’n gyffrous i weld beth allwn ni ei gyflawni gyda’n gilydd! ‘

Meeting of the New Synod – Cyfarfod y Synod Newydd

This Saturday September 10th marks the inaugural meeting of the new Wales Synod Cymru, bringing together the English and Welsh language work of the Methodist Church in Wales, and meeting at Theatre Hafren, Newtown. In addition to commissioning the two Synod Chairs, Revs. Dr. Jennifer Hurd and Stephen Wigley, the Synod will also welcome the Secretary of the Methodist Conference, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Hustler, who will share in the opening event and also give a presentation to the Synod.

Ddydd Sadwrn Medi 10fed nodwch gyfarfod cyntaf Synod Cymru newydd, gan ddod â gwaith Cymraeg a Saesneg yr Eglwys Fethodistaidd yng Nghymru at ei gilydd, a chyfarfod yn Theatr Hafren, y Drenewydd. Yn ogystal â chomisiynu’r ddwy Gadair Synod, Parchg.Dr. Jennifer Hurd a Stephen Wigley, bydd y Synod hefyd yn croesawu Ysgrifennydd y Gynhadledd Fethodistaidd, Parch.Dr. Jonathan Hustler, a fydd yn rhannu yn y digwyddiad agoriadol a hefyd yn rhoi cyflwyniad i’r Synod.

Fellowship Convention in Swansea

After a few years break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, once again the Cardiff and Swansea Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi Church hosted their annual Convention organized by the Revd Irfan John (Synod Enabler Culturally Diverse Congregations). Over 70 people from Wales and a few friends from England gathered on 13th August 2022 in Sketty Methodist Church, Swansea for the one-day convention with the topic of ‘Choose Life’. This was the first time this convention has taken place in Swansea, previously being held annually at the Trinity Centre, Cardiff.

The key verse for the day Deuteronomy 30:19 which reads: ‘This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live’, was explored through various sessions across the day by different leaders. 

The first session led by local preacher Mr Munawar Amaf was a morning devotion followed by a session led by Mr Yaqoob Bashir. Mr Daud Irfan, Methodist Youth President lead a session for the participants with a focus on blessings and curses, which was aimed towards the youth as on the day there were over 25 children and young people. Furthermore, as the day went on, Mrs Esther Yaqoob lead a session for women in the sanctuary, whilst Mr Bashir led the men in the Church Hall, and Daud focused a youth session on covenants and what it means to walk beside God each and every day.

Worship was led by Mr Khuram Obaid who is a professional Pakistan gospel singer and travels all around the world to minister through singing. This was the final session of the day before the Revd Irfan John led communion and a time of prayer. Throughout the day, in between sessions and breaks, the Church choir led by Mr Atif Gill led the congregation in different hymns and psalms in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi languages.

 

Overall, the convention in Swansea was a blessed time focused on the Word, prayer and fellowship. As those in attendance shared in fellowship over food there was also continuous discussions over the topic ‘Choose Life’ and the conversations revolved around what had been shared that day and what this means for people’ individual and family lives.

God’s Church – a home for all: walk

On 27th February 2022, Daud Irfan, Methodist Youth President 2021/2022, accompanied by the Revd Irfan John, his father and the Wales Synod Enabler for Culturally Diverse Congregations, are to walk from Rumney Methodist Church in Cardiff to Wesley’s Chapel in London, raising awareness of the need for more diverse leadership in the Church.

God’s Church – a home for all: walk (methodist.org.uk)

Radio 4 – Prayer for the Day

The Synod Chair, Rev’d Dr Stephen Wigley, is leading Radio 4’s ‘Prayer for the Day’  for the week Saturday 5th – Friday 11th February 2022 at 5:43 am on BBC Radio 4.

Each edition will be available of BBC Sounds after broadcast.

Wales Synod Support for Climate Action

 

COP26 and the climate emergency are hitting the headlines an many of feel the urgency for concerted global action.

But what is the next step for you and your church to reduce carbon footprint, care for creation and to encourage others as well? Solar panels? insulation? new garden? recycling scheme?

Whatever your idea, the Synod Scheme & Grants Committee have a seed money fund to help churches or Circuits.

Download an application form and the guidelines.

Synod Grants for Climate Change Initiatives

SAF Application Form

Global Day for Climate Justice – Saturday 6th November.

Join with Christian Aid, Tearfund and CAFOD on the Global Day of Action for climate justice.

What?

On Saturday the 6th of November, mass mobilisations are taking place across the world to demand action on climate change in this critical moment in time as world leaders meet in Glasgow for the COP26 climate conference.

One of these mass mobilisations will take place in Cardiff. Please join us at this critical moment in time to join in the call for climate justice, and to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sister on the frontline of the climate emergency. We aim to draw together as a ‘faith bloc’, so that the faith imperative for action on climate change is visible.

Where and when? 

  • Saturday 6th November 
  • 11AM – Join us at Eglwys Dewi Sant (St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff CF10 3DD) from 10:45AM for a brief prayer meeting at 11AM. This will be an opportunity to chat, collect placards, and have a moment of reflection before we head over to the march together by 12PM. 
  • 12PM – Assemble at City Hall before marching through the city towards Cardiff Bay for a rally at the Senedd.  
  • Prayer & Action – Spread the word! 

Over the coming weeks, please will you share this invitation with your congregation and community and come as a group to join us?

Please let us know if you are coming! If you have any questions and to RSVP, please contact nmunday@christian-aid.org / 02920844652.